Tamperproof container device



' July 5, 1938. L. G. sToNEBRAKER- 2,122,595

TAMPERPROO CONTAINER DEVICE Filed oct.' 9, 193e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s .gama 7 f l ATToRNEY L. G. STONEBRAKER TAMPERPROOF CONTAINER DEVI CE July 5, 1938.

Filed Oct. 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTOR LY/voo/v Sra/vfRAKE/z ATTORNEY Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE TAMPEEPEooF CONTAINER DEVICE Lyndon G. Stonebraker, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Liquilock, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 9,

` 13 Claims.

'This invention relates to the prevention of tampering with containers and their contents. An object is the provision of novel means, simple in construction, and reliable in operation, for

5 preventing the introduction of liquid into a container and for enabling the free pouring of the container contents so long as tampering has not been attempted. A feature of the invention, of prime importance, resides in provision for automatically rand permanently locking the container against further use, in response to any endeavor to introduce liquid thereinto. In this way not only is there thwarted any attempt by an unscrupulous dealer or other party to introduce cheap and inferior brands into bottles or other containers bearing labels of high quality goods, but the container is permanently incapacitated for further utility and a positive indication of attempted tampering is given. My invention further insures against the introduction of liquid in any position of the container, whether upright, horizontal, inverted, or in intermediate positions, and eiiects prompt locking of the container when tampering is attempted in any of these' positions. Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through an embodiment of the invention, said embodiment being shown in the neck of a bottle, outlined by dot and dash lines. In this view the bottle is in upright position and the elements of the embodiment of my invention-are in normal position.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but with the parts shown in locking position in response to an endeavor to insert liquid into the bottle.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the bottle turned into a position between the verti- 40 cal and horizontal.

Fig. el shows thev bottle turned horizontally, with the parts in position enabling pouring of the contents.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but with the parts in locking position. Fig. 6 shows the bottle turned from the Fig. 5 position into a position between the horizontal and vertical, the parts being shown in locking position. i

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 but with the parts in pouring position. j

Figs. 8 and 9 show vthe bottle inverted, and the v Y, parts in locking and pouring positions respective- 5t 1y.

1936, serial Nb. 104,783

Fig. 10 Vis a-detail perspective view showing the cradle of my embodiment.

Fig. 1l is a View in horizontal section taken on line II--II of Fig. l2.

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing the application of a shim, when desired, for maintaining the apparatus in container-closing position in shipment.

Referring to the drawings, my invention is shown inserted in theV neck A of a bottle A, though its use is obviously not restricted to any particular type of container. The embodiment of the invention here illustrated is shown as comprising a sleeve I having a cap 2 securely tted thereon at one end and an integral flange 3 at the other end. Said cap and flange have openings 4, 5, respectively, for the passage of the contents of the bottle through the neck A in pouring. The sleeve may be securely retained in the bottle neck in any suitable or convenient way, as, for

example, by a hood B covering the top of the flange 3 and then pressed over the ring or thread C of the bottle neck. The hood is provided with an opening D corresponding with the opening 5.

Mounted within the sleeve I for limited slid- .-1

ing movement is a cradle 6 comprising an intermediate hub or body element 'I integral with a plurality of arms 8 extending longitudinally in the sleeve I and engaging the inner periphery thereof. hub 'I are studs or pins 9, IU (which, of course, may be opposite end portions of a single member mounted in said hub). Each of the projections 9, I0 is adapted to enter a corresponding opening I I, I2, in the wall of a respective one of a pair of hollow balls I3, I4. In the normal position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 1, the balls rest against opposite faces of the hub l, and lie between the adjacent cradle arms 8, with the ball I3 tting into and closing the opening 4 in the cap 2 at the inner end of the bottle neck. Ii an attempt should now be made to introduce liquid into the bottle through the opening 5, such liquid cannot pass through said` opening 4, which remains closed by the ball I3. On the other hand, as the liquid poured through opening 5 rises in the bottle neck, the ball I4 is carried upward with the rise in liquid level away from the projection IU and is freed therefrom. Said ball is unbalanced, as by the concentration of weight at any suitable point, such as indicated at I4', whereby as soon as said liquid carries said ball beyond projection I0, the` ball is turned into the position shown in Fig. 2, carrying its opening I 2 away from the projection. The ball is now positioned Projecting from opposite faces of the between the projection I and a disk I5 mounted in the sleeve I in any suitable way as by arms I6 brazed or otherwise securedto one face of said disk and to said sleeve. The disk I is so spaced from the end of projection I 0, with the cradle in the inner position shown in Figures 1 and 2, that upon the freeing of ball I4, as aforesaid said ball engages the under face of said disk. As the ball then turns by Virtue of its unbalanced condition, a solid portion of its wall engages said projection, so that the cradle and the ball I3 are locked in their lower position (Figs. 1 and 2) and the opening 4 is maintained permanently closed by said ball I3. Not only is the liquid poured into the bottle neck thereby prevented from entering into the body of the bottle, but the latter is effectively and permanently locked against pouring or further use. In this connection it is to be noted that the ball I4 is continually biased into its position shown in Fig. 2, by virtue of its distribution of weight, and that Vaccess to said ball is prevented by arms I6 and the disk I5, the latter extending over the major portion of the crosssectional area of the sleeve I. The bottle is thus incapable of further use, and any attempt to pour its contents therefrom is futile. This condition of the bottle provides evidence to a consumer that tampering has been tried, and further proves to the offending party that it is futile to endeavor to tamper with bottles or other containers equipped with this device. The distance between the end of projection IIJ and the bottom face of disk I5 may be very slightly greater than the diameter of the ball (by the order of a thousandth `of an inch, for example) so that the ball may turn particularly freely as soon as it clears said projection. At the same time, such` clearance is unnecessary to permit turning of the ball, though it may be provided without interference with the effectiveness of the locking action above described. f

In Fig. 3, the bottle is shown turned from its vertical position to a position between vertical and horizontal. The parts are shown in the locking position, resulting from pouring of liquid into the bottle neck. Here again the bottle is permanently locked against pouring, by the engagement of ball I4 between projection IU and disk I5, said ball rising from said projection and turning into the position shown as the liquid rises in the bottle neck. The ball I 3 is thus maintained locked in the position wherein it closes the opening 4.

Attempts are sometimes made to introduce liquid into a bottle by immersing the bottle in the liquid in a horizontal position. So long as the cradle remains in the position shown in Figures 1 3, wherein the ball I3 closes the opening 4, it is obvious that liquid cannot be introduced thereinto, whether the bottle be horizontal', vertical, or in intermediate positions, since the ball I3 will maintain the opening 4 closed. However, an attempt might be made to introduce liquid into the bottle by immersing it in horizontal position with theV cradle and balls in pouring position, i. e., in a position k(shown in Fig. 4) forward' or outward from the position in the bottle neck shown` in Fig. 1. v This position of the cradle and balls may be reached by first tilting the neck A" of the bottle below the horizontal and' bringing it back gradually after immersion until the horizontal position is reached., The bottle, cradle, and balls are now in the position shown in Fig. 4..v In this position of the .bottle there is a. water levelA between. the bottom I6 of the sleeve, l in the. bottle neck and lthe lower edget II- of the opening 4 into4 the bottle,

which water level is intercepted by the ball I3. Said ball I3 will thereby be carried off the projection 9 by the first ingress of liquid into the neck A', and will close the opening 4, as shown in Fig. 5. The ball I3, like the ball I4, is unbalanced by concentration of weight (as kat I3) at one side of the opening II, so that when it is freed from the projection 9, it turns to bring a solid portion of its wall into engagement with said projection. The ball I3, as shown in Fig. 5, is now interposed between the end of the projection 9 and the walls of the opening 4, firmly closing said opening, and also being thereby permanently locked in closure position. It will thus be seen that, since the ball I3 is in the path through which liquid must flow fromthe opening 2 to the opening 4, said ball is carried by the first ingress of liquid into the closure position shown in Fig. 5, and is there locked in said closure position, preventing liquid from flowing into the bottle and also permanently locking the bottleagainst further use. 1

An important function of the cradle arms 8 is the spacing of the balls I3, I4 from the inner periphery of the sleeve I for the attainment of a uniformly controlled pouring, as will be further discussed hereinafter. For the present it may be noted that the portions 8 of the cradle arms surrounding the ball I3 are flared outwardly from the cradle head 1 toward the opening 4, and that with the parts in the horizontal position (Fig. 4) the ball I3.droops under the action of gravity into contact with the underlying cradle arm portion 8. In this connection it may be noted that not only is the ball I3 hollow, but the opening I I therein is in a thin portion of its wall, and slight playV is present between the ball and the projection 9, whereby the ball can readily droop onto said underlying cradle arm. The ball I3 is thereby brought further downward into the path of liquid flowing from opening 2 to opening 4. The arrangement referred to further renders the ball particularly sensitive to the ingress of' said liquid and facilitates prompt movement of the ball to closing position in the opening 4in response to flow of said liquid toward said opening.

The distance between the end of pin 9 and the walls of opening 4, withY the cradle in the position shown, is such that upon freeing of the ball I3 from said pin, and turning of the ball to carry its opening away from said pin, the ball is locked in closing position between said pin and the walls of said opening. Minute clearance or tolerance may be provided between pin 9 and said walls, as noted in connection with pin I0 and disk I5, without disturbing the effectiveness of the lock.

The cradle arm portions 8" surrounding the ball I4 are also flared as shown, to accommodate said ball. In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 4 and 5, of course, the ball I4, though in the path of ingress of the liquid, is simply forced by said liquid in such direction as to seat against the hub 'I of the cradle.

Referring now to Fig, 6, the bottle is shown turned downwardly from its horizontal position to a position intermediate the horizontal. and vertical. If an attempt be made tointroduce liquid into the bottle -in this position, asy by siphoning; the ball I3 is carried upwardly from pin 9 by the. rising of the incoming liquid level, and turns into the closing position shown, wherein it isA locked between said pin and the walls of opening 4.

Fig. '7 illustratesI the pouring of liquid from the bottle, the latter being in the samerposition as shown in Fig. 6, but with ball I'3'engaged with pin 'shown by arrows B.

9 and resting against cradle hub 'I. The cradle has moved forwardly and downwardly in the bottle neck due to the downward tilting of the bottle, and the ball I4, engaged with pin IU, contacts the disk I5. Due to the cradle arms'8 and their spacing of the balls from the inner periphery of the sleeve I, the liquid may flow freely through the lower Zone in the bottle neck, between the lower arms of the cradle, as indicated by the arrows A, while simultaneously air may flow uninterruptedly between. the upper cradlearms, in the upper zone of the bottle neck, as Smooth and unimpeded pouring is thereby assured. It may be further noted that, in dropping forward into the position illustrated in Fig. 7, in response to tilting of thebottle, the cradle breaks the vacuum effect which would otherwise interfere with pouring. The cradle provides separate and distinct paths for the flow of liquid out of the bottle and the flow of air thereinto. In this connection, the opening 4 is preferably of less diameter than the opening 5, so that more liquid cannot enter said opening 4 at any time than can ow out of opening 5. As the space between the openings 4 and 5, with the cradle and balls inserted, is such as to permit the flow of a greater volume of liquid than can enter thru opening 4, there can at no time be a flooded condition of the chamber I or a resurgence of the liquid upward from opening 5 to opening 4 while the bottle is in a pouring position.

Fig. 8 shows the bottle in inverted position, with the ball I3 locked in closing position as the result of an attempt to Siphon liquid into the bottle; while Fig. 9 illustrates pouring with the bottle inverted. The action in these views is similar to that above .described in connection with Figs. 6 and 7, respectively.

My invention further comprises provisions for insuring locking the cradle in lowermost position, and the ball I3 in closing position, at the factory or point of origin, where the goods are packaged and sealed, and for releasing the cradle and balls for operation when the contents of the bottle are to be used. To this end I have shown the disk l5 as provided with a cylindrical rim or flange I5', which is of such extent that when a shim I8 is inserted between the edge of said rim and the ball I4, the cradle and balls are maintained securely in closed position, as shown in Fig. 12. The shim may conveniently be provided with a flexible tail portion I9 extending upwardly between the disk I5and sleeve I and passing through the sp-ace between adjacent arms I5. When the contents of the bottle are to be Used, the shim I8 is removed by pulling upwardly on the tail I9, and the cradle andballs are thereby freed for their intended functioning as above described. V

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, inv the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. Apparatus adapted tobe inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising means responsive to the entrance of liquid into said portion from the exterior of the container for locking said container against pouring of its contents.

2. Apparatusadapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents and movable away from said opening in response to tilting of said container for pouring said contents, and means responsive to the introduction of liq-uid into said container portion for locking said member in a position wherein said opening is closed.

3. Apparatus adapted to be inserted linto a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means supporting said member for movement away from said opening in response to tilting of said container for pouring said contents, said member being adapted to move to a position closing said opening in response to introduction of liquid into said container portion and to turn into a position wherein it is locked in said closing position.

4. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion rof a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising means including a normally unbalanced member responsive to introduction of liquid into said portion for movement into a position permanently locking said container against further use.

5. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portion for providing separate passages for the egress of said contents and the ingress of air in pouring, and means cooperating with said member for enabling said member to lock said container against further use in response to introduction of liquid into said portion.

6. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portion for providing separate passages for the egress of said contents and the ingress of air in pouring, A

sai-d member being adapted, in response to introduction of liquid into said portion, to close said opening and to lie between a portion of said means and the walls of said opening whereby said member is locked in closing position.

7. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portionand engaging said member, a second member engaging said means, means limiting movement of said second member away from the first mentioned means, the first mentioned member being adapted to move into a position wherein it is locked between said first mentioned means and said opening in response to introduction of liquid into said container portion when the container is in certain positions, and said second member being adapted to move into a position where it is locked between said limiting means and said first mentioned means to lock the rst member in closing position in response to introduction of liquid into said container portion when said container is in other positions.

8. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, an element movably mountedin said portion and having a projection extending into said member when the latter and said element are in certain positions in said container portion, a second member, a projection rom said element engaging said second member when the latter and said element are in certain positions in said container portion, means limiting movement of said second member away from said element, the rst mentioned member being adapted to ass e a position between saidv opening andthe first mentioned projection ior locking said container against further use in response to introduction of liquid into said container portion with said container in certain positions, said second member being adapted to assume a position between said second projection and said limiting means for looking the iii-'st mentioned member in closing position in response to introduction of liquid in-'o said container portion with said container in other positions.

9. Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said, apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means so supporting said member, the container is in horizontal position, that said member extends into the path of flow 0i liquid into said container portion, said member being adapted in response to said flow of liquid, to move into a position locking said container against further use.

i0. Apparatus adapted to Vbe inserted into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means so supporting said member, when the container is in horizontal position, that said member extends into the path. of flow of liquid into said container portion, said member bein-g adapted, in response to said flow of liquid, te move toa position wherein it is-locked between the walls. of said opening and a portion of said supporting means. v v

11'. Apparatus adapted tobe inserted into a portieriy of a liquid container for protecting the ,contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portion and engaging said member, a second member 2 engaging said means, means limiting movement of said second member away from the rst mentioned means, the irst mentioned member being adapted to move into a position wherein it is locked lbetween 'said rst mentioned means and opening in response to introduction of iiquid into said container portion when the container is in certain positions, and said second member being adapted to move into a position where it is locked between said limitinr means and said rst mentioned means to lock the rst member in closing positionv in response t'o introduction of liquid intoisaid container portion when said con-v tainer is in other positions, and Ymeans inserted into=saidapparatus ior locking said first mentionedunember in position closing said pouring opening:v and 'concurrently preventing movement ofthe second mentioned' member.

12, Apparatus adapted to be inserted into a portion ofv a liquidcontainer for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a member for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portion and engaging said member, a second memberr engaging said means, means limiting movement oisaid-secord' member away from the rst mentioned meanathe iirstimentioned member being adapted to'move into a position wherein it is lool-ied between said rst mentioned' means and said opening in response to introduction of liquid intoisaid containerportion when the container isvin cortan positionsgand said second member being adapted to move into a position where it is locked between said limiting means and said first mentioned means'to lock the rstmember in closing position in response to introduction of. liquid into said container portion when said container'i-s in other positions, and means oomprising. an element interposed between said second member andsaid limiting means for preventing movement of said members and locking the rst member ,in position closing said pouring opening.

i3. Apparatus adapted to be insertedY into a portion of a liquid container for protecting the contents thereof, said apparatus comprising a memberA for closing a pouring opening for said contents, means movably mounted in said portion and engaging said member, a second member engaging said means, means limiting movement of said second member away from the rst mentioned means, the iirst mentioned member being adapted. to nio-ve into a position wherein it is lockedfb'etween said iirst mentioned means and said opening in response 15o-introduction of liquid into said container portion when the container is' in 'certain positions, and Said second member beingtadapted'to move into a position where Yit is locked between said limiting means and said first mentioned means to ioclsv therst member in closing position in response toV introduction of liquid into. said container portion when said container isinfoth'er positions, and means comprising an elementinterposed' between said 'second member and said limiting means for preventing movement of said members and looking the rst memm ber. in position closing said pouring opening, said Cil 

